Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-01
IN THE SOUTH.
GiE ADDRESSES THE REPUBLICANS
OF THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.
Me Speaks of the Past Record of the
Party aud the rsatment the Negroes
Receive in Many Parts of the South
Extraordinarily Received.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. March Ex-senator
Sherman delivered an address before the
republican members of the Legislature of
Tennessee to-day by invitation. He was
received with much enthusiasm and the
hail was crowded. Among other things
ne said
Iaccepted the invitation of the reDubli-
can members of the Legislature of Ten
nessee to address them on this occasion,
not so much with the hope that could en-
courage them by an expression OF the
hearty sympathy of the republicans of the
United States in their gallant struggle for
republican principles, as from the belief
entertain that fair presentation made to
the people of Tennessee without dis
'tinction OF party of the aims and principles
of our party, both in the past and for the
future, light induce them to Join with us
in a public policy that will contribute to
the interests of the people of Tennessee
and of the whole country more and greater
benefits and advantages than can possibly
be conferred upon them by the democratic
party have felt that the differences that
grew out of the war prevent large body
of honest and patriotic citizens OF the
South from cooperating with the repub-
lican party. who, in myjudgment Gre now
in sympathy with us; that perhaps !
might be able to dissipate these prejudices
by a frank statement of the views which
past, aud thus bring us into cooperation
in measures tending to advance the com
mon interests and prosperity of our coun-
try.
Senator Sherman then spoke of the part
that slavery had played in bringing on the
war and the stand that Tennessee took
during the war. Continuing, he said
Think not that ! came here to reproach
any man for the part he took in that fight
or TO revive ia the heart of anyone the
l. boz Of afn
/ do not come to make apologies, nor do |
ask any of you. The war was perhaps
unavoidable, bound to come some time
and the sooner ended the better. All that
l claim is that the republican party was
not actuated by the spirit of hate or
conquest or revenge, but only by the fer
vent love OF union and the determined pur-
pose to maintain the constitution as they
understand it. When the war was over
the people of the North heartily approved
the generous terms granted by Gen. Grant
to Gen. Lee and wished that the people of
the South should be restored to all their
rights and privileges, subject only to such
conditions as honor and good faith SEEM
ed to demand, arising out of the proclaim
alton Of President Lincoln for the emanci-
patton of the slaves. Both sides felt that
abolition of slavery was the necessary
result Of the war, and it seemed to us if
the siares were to be free they must be
armed with privileges of freemen, and
these were secured to them by consti-
tutioual amendments The attempt to
snforce these rights by national authori-
ty has thus far partially failed. Where
public opinion is intolerant and jurors
will not do their duty, citizen. either
white or black, may be without remedy
tor the grossest wrong except the right to
migrate Our institutions are based upon
the idea that such a denial of rights is
impossible, and | trust that the time
is not far distant when the people of
every State will feel it to be both
just and expedlent that every citizen of
the Stare shall be protected in the free and
equal enjoyment Of every right and privi-
lege. The republican party is pledged to
this policy. No wrong can he done TO the
humblest citizen and no right withheld
without reacting upon the community at
large. | was glad to hear in passing
through several Of the Southern States the
conservative citizens say that public sent
ment now revolts at unlawful methods
to defeat the free exercise of the
equal rights dof the citizens that are
still practice in what are known
as the black counties of the South
AS long as such methods are resorted to
there will be keen sense of wrong and
injustice to the injured parties and those
who practice such offences will in the end
suffer for it. The sectional feeling will
continue to exist as long as large masses
of the people are denied their rights. 1t
produces inequality of representation be-
tween the North and South. 1t opens the
way to corruption and fraud The
freedman in the full enjoyment of his
rights will divide between the parties.
/ also wish to express in the strongest Ian
guage my admiration and respect for the
vim and energy with which the South is
graphing with the new condition of the
labor and industry by which they are sur
rounded, and the confident belief that
within single generation our people will
be more than repaid for the value of their
slaves by the results of the diversified in
dustry and subdivision of land. The
time will come, and seems now near al
hand. when you and yOuc children will
rejoice, not only that the slaves are free
but that the union has been preserved anG
strengthened